'The letters are already here. There are about four good-sized cases of them.'

The Postal Service began
restricting its policies in such programmes in 2006, including
requiring volunteers to show identification.

But the Maryland
incident involving the sex offender prompted more changes, even forcing
the agency to briefly suspend the Operation Santa programme last year
in New York and Chicago before reinstating it with the same
restrictions implemented nationwide this year.

Postal Service
spokesman Sue Brennan said no one is barred from continuing their
programmes, but they have to comply with the rules.

But Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski is still hoping that for a change of mind.

'Children across the world will be anticipating a letter from Santa this Christmas,' she wrote to the US Postmaster General.

'I believe that a small action by the Postal Service to continue the tradition.. could go a long way to bring joy to these children and their families.'